iPad iPad 2018 (6th gen) and the new 10.2" rumors (sep 2019)

[Joplin]

As others have previously said, the 6th Generation iPad is probably the best value for money device that Apple currently sells. It acts as an introduction to their ecosystem and I expect its successor to fulfil exactly the same role.

I agree. The interesting question to ponder is just exactly how much value for money Apple is going to offer with this 2019 base iPad. There's been some good thinking in this thread, but when I list plausible specs for this rumored 10.2" device, I can only really see A11/2GB happening without it being too much competition for the Air 3, at least at a $329 price:

I'm assuming 32/128GB storage options

A11/2GB - Air 2019 +A12, +3GB so upgrading to the Air 3 gives you a decent performance boost.

A11/3GB - Air's A12 will be faster, sure, but since even an A10 is good enough for casual use it doesn't matter. The A11 is still an upgrade for the entry-level device. With 3GB RAM on board the performance between base iPad and Air will be virtually indistinguishable.

A12/2GB - People see it has the same chip and won't bother with the Air for the extra gig of RAM. Also no A12/2GB devices have been released, so this combination can be deemed unlikely.

A12/3GB - Would you pay an extra $170 for a slightly better screen, 32 extra GB of storage and a smart connector?

I'd wager they will launch a 10.2" unit at $399 if it comes with an A12 chip.

€249 is a very good price. Don't forget that the recommended retail price is €359 in most European countries. If a new 10.2" model is released, initially it won't be discounted.

Yeah, this is my thinking. It's of course the typical Apple buyer style of thinking to always fear missing out on cool stuff the next model brings, but as it stands I think the 2018 iPad for 249 (be it EUR or USD) is the best value proposition for an iPad in terms of the functionality and performance per dollar and it might be a while before a proposition of similar value comes our way. Well, maybe clearance sales where they let them go for $199 once it's discontinued. Who knows!

 

[rui no onna]

I'd wager they will launch a 10.2" unit at $399 if it comes with an A12 chip.

It should be noted that the Air 2 was at $399 MSRP prior to being axed and the $329 iPad being released. There was a continuous decline in iPad sales then (I think peak iPad was 2013).

This is MacRumors so we're used to $500 iPads. However, I think there's probably quite a bit of psychological impact going from $329 to $399 on the entry level iPads (and vice versa), otherwise, why did Apple try so hard to reach that price point? I think it's far more likely that Apple sticks to A11/2GB to keep prices down than to go A12/3GB with accompanying price hike to $399.

 

[Wokis]

Ponder that likely less than a percent of basic ipad buyers will know if the ipad has A11, A12, 3 or 2GB of RAM. If they release a 10,2 and it has the same internals as the Air 3, it would make no difference to to most end-buyers as all they would know is “slightly smaller screen, no smart keyboard compatibility, bigger bezels (if same casing as Air)”

So if it makes sense from a production standpoint to streamline and just produce more A12s I could imagine them doing that. I don’t necessarily think making more A11s is cheaper, and the base ipad is a big seller so clearing out old stock might just not suffice.

Edit: incorrectly referred to an A13 when meaning A12

 

[JPack]

It should be noted that the Air 2 was at $399 MSRP prior to being axed and the $329 iPad being released. There was a continuous decline in iPad sales then (I think peak iPad was 2013).

This is MacRumors so we're used to $500 iPads. However, I think there's probably quite a bit of psychological impact going from $329 to $399 on the entry level iPads (and vice versa), otherwise, why did Apple try so hard to reach that price point? I think it's far more likely that Apple sticks to A11/2GB to keep prices down than to go A12/3GB with accompanying price hike to $399.

The iPad Air (2013) and Air 2 were seen as pure media consumption devices. Consumers couldn't justify $499 or $399 for a coffee table video player, especially for owners of iPad 3 and 4.

The rules changed with the iPad (2018) because of the Pencil. With a 10.2" display, A12, and iPad OS, I think Apple can afford to raise prices to $379 or $399.

iPad Air (2019) has appreciable differences including 64GB, lamination/True Tone, and FaceTime HD.

 

[EugW]

A11 and A12 are the same die size, but built on different processes. While it’s possible A12 is more expensive, it’s also possible they’re about the same price.

I could see Apple discontinuing both the iPhone 8 and iPhone X this fall. If they do, then there would not be a good reason to keep A11 in production, since the only products with A11 are iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

 

[rui no onna]

A11 and A12 are the same die size, but built on different processes. While it’s possible A12 is more expensive, it’s also possible they’re about the same price.

I could see Apple discontinuing both the iPhone 8 and iPhone X this fall. If they do, then there would not be a good reason to keep A11 in production, since the only products with A11 are iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

Somehow, I don’t think they’re gonna cancel iPhone 8 yet. They’re still selling the iPhone 7 brand new.

Apple already stopped selling the iPhone X when the XS was released (in the US at least).

 

[Maven1975]

Some reports are now stating a Pro refresh as well. What the heck?

Isn’t Apples MO to release the new chip in the iPhone first and then the X version inside of the new “Pro” iPad a few months later?

 

[rui no onna]

Some reports are now stating a Pro refresh as well. What the heck?

Isn’t Apples MO to release the new chip in the iPhone first and then the X version inside of the new “Pro” iPad a few months later?

So? There's likely an iPhone release coming up in September. A9 -> A9X (1st gen Pro 12.9) and A12 -> A12X were both just a couple months apart.

 

[Maven1975]

So? There's likely an iPhone release coming up in September. A9 -> A9X (1st gen Pro 12.9) and A12 -> A12X were both just a couple months apart.

It would just be interesting with these rumors including an Pro refresh almost making it simultaneous with iPhone.

 

[Joplin]

Some reports are now stating a Pro refresh as well. What the heck?

Isn’t Apples MO to release the new chip in the iPhone first and then the X version inside of the new “Pro” iPad a few months later?

What reports are you referring to? Are these more recent rumors than the latest 10.2" base iPad speculation that was posted on the major Apple websites the past week?

 

[maflynn]

What reports are you referring to? Are these more recent rumors than the latest 10.2" base iPad speculation that was posted on the major Apple websites the past week?

Apple Registers Five New iPad Models Running iPadOS in Eurasian Database
Mass Production of iPad 7 Said to Begin This Month, Followed by 16-Inch MacBook Pro in Fourth Quarter

 

[JPack]

What reports are you referring to? Are these more recent rumors than the latest 10.2" base iPad speculation that was posted on the major Apple websites the past week?

"We give a greater than 50% probability that the new iPad in 4Q19/1Q20 may adopt ToF (our previous forecast that the 2H19 new iPhone will not adopt ToF remains unchanged). We believe that 3D modeling captured by ToF and then edited by an Apple Pencil on an iPad will create an all-new productivity experience for design applications in a totally different manner from computers."​

Kuo has been talking about refreshed iPad Pro 11" and 12.9" since late last year.

 

[Built]

The $249 (discounted 32GB)/$329 (discounted 128GB) iPad 6th generation has been a game changer even for people like me with a couple of Pros (11 and 12.9) and an iPad Air 3. It enabled me...at that price point...to buy a few and keep, for example, one tucked in my gym bag; one on my couch/coffee table; etc.

I cannot wait for the 7th generation to come out. At a similar (discounted) price point, it would be worth it for me to invest in a couple.

I am sure there are many like me.

 

[K1221n]

This will be interesting to see what they do with the new "basic" ipad.

This month I bought the 2018 base iPad for €249. This is a great price, the lowest it has ever been in my country. I kind of figured with the March release of the Air 3 and Mini 5 there wouldn't be a base iPad refresh this year, but now it seems like there still might be.

So I've been thinking: should I have waited with buying this unit? I really like the device, and it seems to be fast enough for all my needs. So generally I think I did okay and the A10 should last quite a while still. Also the iPad 2019 would not be for sale for such a low price for at least a year, or maybe never, so there's that. The low cost of entry is something that makes the 6th gen iPad a worthy option, I feel.

But let's assume the iPad 2019 gets the 10.2" screen and maybe an A11 (not A12) chip. I'd also guess a non-laminated screen and 2GB RAM. If they'd manage to keep the $329 list price, wouldn't they make the iPad Air 2019 a bad value proposition? I feel as if there'd be very little difference between the base and Air devices. If the Air 3 had the 120hz display and quad speakers, sure, but it doesn't.

If they unveil something truly terrific I suppose I could always sell my 6th gen with a fairly small loss, but that's something to be decided later.

What do you think will be the specs and price of this rumored 10.2" iPad 2019?

 

[Howard2k]

Maybe they'll stick to the A10? Even then I think for most users the Air would not be worth it.

Spot on.